Mike Montgomery

Michael Paul Montgomery (born July 1, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and Kansas City Royals, and in the KBO League for the Samsung Lions.

He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft and made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2015. The Mariners traded him to the Chicago Cubs in 2016. Montgomery recorded the final out in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, earning the save and sealing the Cubs' first World Series title since 1908.

Professional career

Kansas City Royals Montgomery was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the first round, with the 36th overall selection, of the 2008 MLB draft out of William S. Hart High School in Santa Clarita, California. In 2012, he posted a combined record of 5–12 in 27 starts while splitting the season between the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers. On November 20, 2012, the Royals added Montgomery to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls on March 11, 2013.

Seattle Mariners On March 31, 2015, Montgomery was traded to the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Erasmo Ramírez. After an injury sidelined starter James Paxton, the Mariners called Montgomery up to the majors for the first time on June 2, 2015. He started that night against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field, giving up one run, four hits, and walking two while striking out four and leaving after six innings with a 2–1 lead. He was on track to earn his first major league win, but the Mariners lost the game in 11 innings.

On June 23, Montgomery became the first Mariners left-handed pitcher to ever throw a complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts and no walks, getting the win against the Kansas City Royals 7–0. Following his first career complete game shutout, Montgomery pitched his second consecutive shutout on June 30, 2015. He allowed one hit, a double in the 7th inning, to the San Diego Padres in a 5–0 win. He was the first Mariners pitcher since Freddy García in 2001 to throw complete game shutouts in consecutive starts.

Montgomery made the Mariners' opening day roster in 2016 as a reliever.

Chicago Cubs On July 20, 2016, the Seattle Mariners traded Montgomery and prospect Jordan Pries to the Chicago Cubs for prospects Daniel Vogelbach and Paul Blackburn. After allowing a three-run home run to the first batter he faced as a Cub, Montgomery performed well during the remainder of the season. He pitched in 17 games (including five starts), with a 2.82 ERA with the Cubs.

Montgomery had a strong postseason performance in 2016, playing an instrumental role in the team's championship run. Cumulatively he went 1–1 in 11 games with a 3.14 ERA in innings pitched. Notably, Montgomery relieved Carl Edwards Jr. in the bottom of the 10th inning in Game 7 of the World Series. With a runner on first base and two outs in a one-run game, he finished the game with a ground out to third base. Montgomery earned his first professional save, helping the Cubs win the World Series for the first time in 108 years. thumb Mike Montgomery pitches the final out in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.

In 2017, Montgomery made 44 appearances (14 starts) with a 3.38 ERA. His record was 7–8, along with three saves. His performance through mid-May was exceptional, with his ERA dropping to 1.08. After gradually rising to 4.01 in mid-July, it leveled out in the remainder of the season.

In contrast with his 2016 performance, Montgomery struggled in the 2017 postseason. Between the Division Series against the Washington Nationals and the League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montgomery had five appearances and innings pitched. He allowed three home runs, finishing with a 16.62 postseason ERA.

In 2018, Montgomery had a 5–6 record with a 3.99 ERA in 124 innings. Despite Montgomery being primarily a reliever and spot starter during his major league career, the Royals used him exclusively as a starting pitcher. He made 13 starts and pitched 64 innings while winning two games and losing seven. With the 2020 Kansas City Royals, Montgomery appeared in 3 games, with 5.06 ERA and four strikeouts in innings pitched.

New York Mets

On February 14, 2021, Montgomery signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets with an invitation to spring training. On March 28, the Mets released Montgomery.

New York Yankees On April 5, 2021, Montgomery signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization. On June 1, Montgomery opted out of his minor league contract and became a free agent. He had recorded a 7.56 ERA in four games for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. During a game on September 10, Montgomery was warned about the league's 12-second pitch rule and subsequently ejected. In response to his ejection, Montgomery struck an umpire with a rosin bag and threw his uniform on the field of play before retreating to the clubhouse. He had a 2–5 record and 5.37 ERA in 11 starts for the Lions.

New York Mets (second stint) On March 15, 2022, Montgomery signed a minor league contract to return to the New York Mets. He made 22 appearances (17 starts) for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, struggling to a 2–10 record and 6.72 ERA with 54 strikeouts in innings pitched.

On February 2, 2023, Montgomery signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. He was released prior to the season on April 18.

Los Angeles Dodgers On June 6, 2023, Montgomery signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers. He pitched in 18 games (16 starts) for Oklahoma City, logging a 4–4 record and 5.26 ERA with 68 strikeouts across 77 innings.

Long Island Ducks On April 30, 2024, Montgomery signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. In 22 games (21 starts) for the Ducks, he posted a 6–7 record and 5.65 ERA with 72 strikeouts over innings of work. Montgomery became a free agent following the season.

Personal life Montgomery and his wife, Stephanie, were married in August 2018 during a Cubs off-day. Their first child, a son, was born April 2019.